New Delhi: Operation Sindoor remains active, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar affirming that India will retaliate decisively against any future terror attack like the one in Pahalgam last month, striking terrorists operating from Pakistan. He outlined this as part of India’s assertive new posture against cross-border terrorism.

In an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS, Jaishankar clarified that the ceasefire understanding reached on May 10 between India and Pakistan followed Indian strikes that compelled the Pakistani military to agree to halt hostilities. He dismissed any role for the United States in brokering this understanding or in future talks with Pakistan.

Operation Sindoor was launched by India on May 7 in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. The operation targeted nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan-controlled territories, triggering four days of heavy clashes involving drones, missiles, and long-range weapons before the ceasefire was agreed upon.

“The operation continues because the message is clear — if attacks like April 22 happen again, there will be a response. We will strike the terrorists, wherever they are,” Jaishankar said, adding that while hostilities have ceased, Operation Sindoor remains active in principle.

On whether the operation was now dormant, he responded, “Call it what you like, but the message is clear — and it’s an act.”

Jaishankar termed the fighting a response to a “barbaric terrorist attack” in Jammu and Kashmir where 26 people were killed “in front of their families after verifying their faith.” He said the attack was aimed at damaging tourism, Kashmir’s economic lifeline, and inciting religious discord.

He blamed the Pakistani military leadership, especially Army chief Asim Munir, for fostering an extreme religious outlook that fueled the violence, referring to Munir’s remarks invoking the two-nation theory days before the attack.

Jaishankar insisted it was impossible for India not to respond to an attack executed by The Resistance Front, a proxy of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. “Our government is very clear — if there’s an attack, there will be a response,” he said.

Indian forces initially struck nine UN-designated terror sites, then retaliated when the Pakistani military responded. May 10 marked a turning point when India neutralized eight Pakistani airbases, targeting runways and command centres. “That compelled the Pakistani military to agree to a ceasefire,” Jaishankar said.

On the question of US involvement, Jaishankar flatly denied any American role in negotiating the ceasefire, despite outreach from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, and leaders from West Asia and elsewhere. “When two countries are in conflict, it’s natural for others to express concern, but this ceasefire was negotiated directly between India and Pakistan,” he said.

India made it clear to all parties that any cessation of hostilities required a direct message from the Pakistani military leadership to the Indian side — which ultimately happened.

Jaishankar reiterated that India is willing to talk with Pakistan only on two issues: ending terrorism and the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The status of Kashmir’s borders, he said, is non-negotiable, as Kashmir is an integral part of India.

Asked about India’s economic trajectory amid border tensions with Pakistan and China, Jaishankar said security had to take priority. “Our security challenges were more serious than Europe’s. You don’t choose between security and prosperity — both are two sides of the same coin,” he asserted.